Fellow Travellers,

My bike was recently shipped to Germany by Stefan Knopf of KnopfTours who did a great job with all aspects; I highly recommend his container shipping service from Orlando. His shipping date to Heidelberg coincides with Daytona BikeWeek; so if you deliver your bike to Orlando, you get the extra bonus of "doing" Bikeweek .

My plan is to ride Eastern Europe this summer 2-up with my wife on my R11RT. This is a training ride in preparation for some of the real adventurous trips that other HU members are doing.

I've ridden through Mexico several times, including the Sierra Madre Accidentals, the (She) Devils's Backbone, the "Road of 1000 patches", etc so I'm hoping that I'm up to the challenges of the European roads and drivers.

However, I stumbled on an HU thread this A.M. that made me realize that my license plate from the Lone Star state (I'm actually from the Show Me state ) may be a problem.

My wife is Canadian, so today we went to the flag store here in Austin, Texas and bought several Canadian flags to attach to the gear for good luck.

I don't want to start an international incident here; just wondering if we smile, wave and be friendly whether we are apt to encounter any problems crusing through Eastern Europe, Turkey and Tunisia. Thanks in advance for any good, constructive advice. Happy (and safe) trails to everyone venturing out this summer on their iron steeds. Yippy yi ay!

Good!

Results to date:

Germany: A few complaints but in a very funny way. Many laughs.
Austria: Everybody is smiling and laid-back. No Problema
Slovenia: Everyone is driving/riding so fast they never see me
Croatia: See Slovenia
Bosnia: A little shell-shocked; Didn't notice


In General: The Texas plate is so small compared to Europlates; nobody can read it.

Besides, I stuck my HU sticker right beside it to divert attentions

Two wheels, one world!

Hi,

I saw a stars and stripes sticker on a local bike in Iran. Nobody had set it on fire or anything! Sure you'll be fine!

Matt

__________________
http://adventure-writing.blogspot.com

http://scotlandnepal.blogspot.com/

*Disclaimer* - I am not saying my bike is better than your bike. I am not saying my way is better than your way. I am not mocking your religion/politics/other belief system. When reading my post imagine me sitting behind a frothing pint of ale, smiling and offering you a bag of peanuts. This is the sentiment in which my post is made. Please accept it as such!

Albania was thumbs up about Texas from the northern custom post to the crossing into Greece; Greece was no problem...

Not to worry. This is crazy. It's another example of we American's just trying to solve a problem we don't really have...

I met a group of Europeans including Belgium, England, France and Holland. We got into a conversation when another American (non-moto traveler) brought up the fact that he was worried about traveling as an American. Every chirped in and said that they had heard this before -- but only from other American travelers who had intimately divulged this insecurity. Sure, we're the world power and our government continues to make stupid decisions, but for the most part our world neighbors understand that the citizens don't necessarily represent the views of its government. This goes for all countries -- as I'm sure you'd find some Texans who'd rather just order "fries" rather than French Fries. But this is crazy. We're all world citizens and for the most part the people you'll meet on your journey will accept you as you are... people. If your attitude or behavior suggests that you might deserve another sentiment... so be it. In reality, you as a traveler are in control of what reception you'll receive.

That said, there are always the exceptions. I just haven't found them in my travels.

Good luck on your journey. You'll love it with those Texas plates!

__________________
Allan - WorldRider
2005 - Adventure & Discovery - 2008 http://www.worldrider.com

No worries in Turkey and Tunisia as those are pretty chill countries...I've had Cali plates on mine and when anybody asks I remind them that Arnold is my Governor and he knows I'm on this trip...

__________________
edde
93 BMW K75s
www.motoedde.com

WORLD CUP GUIDELINES FOR AMERICAN TOURISTS

The following advisory for American travelers heading for France was compiled from information provided by the US State Department, the Central Intelligence Agency, the US Chamber of Commerce, the Food and Drug Administration, the Centers for Disease Control, and some very expensive spy satellites that the French don't know about. It is intended as a guide for American travelers only.


General Overview
France is a medium-sized foreign country situated in the continent of Europe. It is an important member of the world community, though not nearly as important as it thinks. It is bounded by Germany, Spain, Switzerland and some smaller nations of no particular consequence and with not very good shopping.

France is a very old country with many treasures, such as the Louvre and EuroDisney. Among its contributions to western civilization are champagne, Camembert cheese and the guillotine.

Although France likes to think of itself as a modern nation, air conditioning is little used and it is next to impossible to get decent Mexican food. One continuing exasperation for American visitors is that the people willfully persist in speaking French, though many will speak English if shouted at. As in any foreign country, watch your change at all times.


The People
France has a population of 54 million people, most of whom drink and smoke a great deal, drive like lunatics, are dangerously oversexed, and have no concept of standing patiently in line. The French people are in general gloomy, temperamental, proud, arrogant, aloof, and undisciplined; and those are their good points.

Most French citizens are Roman Catholic, though you would hardly guess it from their behavior. Many people are communists, and topless sunbathing is common. Men sometimes have girls' names like Marie, and they kiss each other when they hand out medals.

American travelers are advised to travel in groups and to wear baseball caps and colorful trousers for easier mutual recognition.


Safety
In general, France is a safe destination, though travelers are advised that, from time to time, it is invaded by Germany. By tradition, the French surrender more or less at once and, apart from a temporary shortage of Scotch whisky and increased difficulty in getting baseball scores and stock market prices, life for the visitor generally goes on much as before. A tunnel connecting France to Britain beneath the English Channel has been opened in recent years to make it easier for the Government to flee to London.


History
France was discovered by Charlemagne in the Dark Ages. Other important historical figures are Louis XIV, the Huguenots, Joan of Arc, Jacques Cousteau and Charles de Gaulle, who was President for many years and is now an airport.


Government
The French form of government is democratic but noisy. Elections are held more or less continuously, and always result in a run-off. For administrative purposes, the country is divided into regions, departments, districts, municipalities, cantons, communes, villages, cafes, booths, and floor tiles.

Parliament consists of two chambers, the Upper and Lower (though, confusingly, they are both on the ground floor), whose members are either Gaullists or communists, neither of whom is to be trusted, frankly. Parliament's principal preoccupations are setting off atomic bombs in the South Pacific, and acting indignant when anyone complains.

According to the most current State Department intelligence, the President now is someone named Jacques. Further information is not available at this time.


Culture
The French pride themselves on their culture, though it is not easy to see why. All their songs sound the same, and they have hardly ever made a movie that you would want to watch for anything but the nude scenes. And nothing, of course, is more boring than a French novel.


Cuisine
Let's face it, no matter how much garlic you put on it, a snail is just a slug with a shell on its back. Croissants, on the other hand, are excellent, though it is impossible for most Americans to pronounce this word. In general, travelers are advised to stick to cheeseburgers at leading hotels such as Sheraton and Holiday Inn.


Economy
France has a large and diversified economy, second only to Germany's in Europe, which is surprising because people hardly work at all. If they are not spending four hours dawdling over lunch, they are on strike and blocking the roads with their trucks and tractors. France's principal exports, in order of importance to the economy, are wine, nuclear weapons, perfume, guided missiles, champagne, high-caliber weaponry, grenade launchers, land mines, tanks, attack aircraft, miscellaneous armaments and cheese.


Public Holidays
France has more holidays than any other nation in the world. Among its 361 national holidays are 197 saints' days, 37 National Liberation Days, 16 Declaration of Republic Days, 54 Return of Charles de Gaulle in Triumph as if he Won the War Single-Handed Days, 18 Napoleon Sent into Exile Days, 17 Napoleon Called Back from Exile Days, and 112 France is Great and the Rest of the World is Rubbish Days. Other important holidays are National Nuclear Bomb Day (January 12), the Feast of St. Brigitte Bardot Day (March 1), and National Guillotine Day (November 12).


Conclusion
France enjoys a rich history, a picturesque and varied landscape, and a temperate climate. In short, it would be a very nice country if it weren't inhabited by French people. The best thing that can be said for it is that it is not Germany.


A Word of Warning
The consular services of the United States government are intended solely for the promotion of the interests of American businesses such as McDonald's, Pizza Hut and the Coca-Cola Corporation. In the event that you are the victim of a crime or serious injury involving at least the loss of a limb, report to the American Embassy between the hours of 5:l5 AM and 5:20 AM on a Tuesday or Wednesday, and a consular official who is supremely indifferent to your plight will give you a list of qualified dentists or something similarly useless.

Remember, no one ordered you to go abroad. Personally, we always take our holidays at Miami Beach, and you are advised to as well.

__________________
Only when we pause to wonder
do we go beyond the limits of our little lives.
(Rod McKuen)

Another update;
All thumbs ups through Macedonia, Serbia, Kosovo, Bulgaria, Romania...
The Balkans are too cool.
Great people and interesting sights...

OK, I finished the European trip with the Texas plates.

We only had one problem and it was in a little seaside village on the Italian Adriatic just south of San Marino.

It must have been in Cattolica or there abouts and we set up the tent in a camping village.

The teenage boys came late after I had crashed.

The wife woke up and one look from her and the boys dropped their rocks and ran.